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The song “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay is in the key of G major and follows a fairly simple chord progression in the pop/rock genre. This progression particularly makes use of the I, IV, V, and vi chords in this key, which is a typical pop progression.

“Viva La Vida” by Coldplay is a pop song that sits primarily in the key of G major, featuring four common chords: C Major, D Major, G Major, and E minor. The song’s simplicity lies in the consistent use of these chords, which creates a consistent harmony throughout the song.

The chord progression in Verse 2 of Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine” is a complex and somewhat unconventional progression. It primarily features chords from the E natural minor scale, with some borrowed chords from the parallel E major scale. The progression creates an atmospheric and moody soundscape that is characteristic of Pink Floyd’s music, especially in their album “Wish You Were Here.” It also displays a certain level of sophistication in the harmony which underscores Pink Floyd’s musical depth.

“Love of My Life” is a stunning ballad written by Freddie Mercury of Queen. The song is written in the key of A major and is primarily played on piano. It features a sophisticated and somewhat unconventional chord progression that serves as the foundation for Mercury’s versatile vocal performance. It’s arguably one of Queen’s more classical-influenced pieces and makes use of borrowed chord techniques frequently, which are commonly associated with the band’s flirtation with different musical styles, including rock, classical, and opera.

The verse of “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John is generally in the key of C major (with some temporary modulations) and features a varied and interesting chord progression that is indicative of Elton John’s complex, piano-driven musical style.

Coldplay – Viva La Vida – Verse 2

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Chord Progression

[‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’]

Chord Progression Analysis

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C Major (I)
D Major (‘V/V)
G Major (IV)
E minor (vi)

The progression repeats four times. It is important to denote that D Major is a borrowed chord in this case, functioning as a secondary dominant (‘V/V – dominant of the dominant) to G Major.

**Chord Symbols in Code: (For Borrowed Chord Indication)**

“`
D Major (‘V/V)
“`

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Similar Chord Progressions

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Here are some songs which share similar chord progressions in the genre of pop rock:

1. “Let it Be” by The Beatles: C – G – Am – F (or in terms of Roman numerals: I – V – vi – IV)

2. “No Woman No Cry” by Bob Marley: C – G – Am – F
(I – V – vi – IV)

3. “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey: E – B – C#m – A
(I – V – vi – IV)

This highlights the fact that the I – V – vi – IV progression (or a variant of it) is something that has been popularly used in many successful songs across genres and decades.

Musical Analysis

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The progression starts with a major tonic chord which gives a sense of stability. The second chord, D major, which is a borrowed chord, adds a bit of suspense, essentially pulling towards the G major chord, creating a resolution. The fourth and last chord, E minor, gives a touch of melancholia to the musical phrase.

The progression itself is quiet dynamic, constantly moving forward and driving the song. Also, the oscillation between major and minor chords brings a good balance of cheerful and more introspective moments.

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Overall Analysis

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“Viva la Vida” mostly utilizes a four-chord progression thorough the song which is fairly common in popular music. The verse we are focusing on replicating the verse goes like this: C – D – G – Em. The chord progressions are pretty simple, catchy and give the song an uplifting feel.

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Style Analysis

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Coldplay is known for their uplifting, anthemic style of music and ‘Viva la Vida’ fits into this style perfectly. There is a mix of pop and rock elements, with a catchy, repeating chord progression that drives the song and makes it memorable.

The use of simple and common chord progressions is a hallmark of Coldplay’s music and ‘Viva la Vida’ is no exception. The band often uses simple and repetitive chord progressions as a background for their outstanding melody lines and lyrics.

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Chords in the Verse 2 section of Viva La Vida by Coldplay are:

[‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’, ‘C’, ‘D’, ‘G’, ‘Em’]